Tucson, AZ - The Tucson Sugar Skulls are set to return home on Saturday, June 1st for a rematch with the Duke City Gladiators at 6:05 PM at the Tucson Arena, in Tucson Arizona. 

Repeated Success

Entering the weekend with a 2-6 record, there is no doubt that the Sugar Skulls are more than pleased to see the Duke City Gladiators next up on the scheduled slate. Facing off with Duke City for the second time this season, it was Tucson that put together one of their strongest showings in 2024 against the Gladiators in Week 2. By the time the dust had settled, the Skulls left Albuquerque with a gritty 56-49 victory. Most likely, it will require a well-balanced effort from both sides of the football for an entire 60 minutes for the Skulls to end up triumphant. 

Throughout the years resulting in a total of nine matchups versus Duke City, Tucson boasts a 7-2 record against their IFL counterparts. Not to mention, but the Sugar Skulls have downed the Gladiators in three consecutive games dating back to the 2023 season. 

Now or Never

Under the tutelage of Billy Back in his first season as the Sugar Skulls head coach, it is Tucson that faces a fork in the road at the halfway point of the regular season. A year ago, the Skulls were able to rattle off a 9-7 record en route to a postseason berth. However, with losses already under their belts, it is time for Tucson to put on their big-boy pants and play a consistent brand of winning football. Clearly, the team has shown glimpses of hanging with even the cream of the crop of the Indoor Football League, and it wouldn't be a surprise if Tucson began to string together some wins down the stretch. 

Offense, Offense, and More Offense

With each passing week, Tucson continues to demonstrate its offensive firepower. Whether it's in the form of the passing or running game, the Skulls are proving that they can do it all on offense with ease. Fresh off of back-to-back weeks of scoring at least 50 points, there is no reason to suggest that Tucson will be slowing down in the scoring department anytime soon. All in all, don't be surprised if the dynamic connection between QB Mylik Mitchell and fellow wideouts Mike Carrigan and Brian Smith ends up working like a charm. 

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